Actinomycosis in humans – symptoms, types, causes, treatment and diagnostics

Actinomycosis, also known as sporotrichosis, is a disease caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Although it is not one of the most common diseases, its symptoms and consequences can be serious, especially in people with weakened immune systems. In this article, we will discuss what exactly actinomycosis is, its symptoms, types, ways of infection and treatment methods.

Actinomycosis – what is this disease?

Actinomycosis is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. It is a pathogen associated mainly with soil, plants and wood, which means we can find it in the natural environment. This disease occurs all over the world, but is more often diagnosed in countries with a warm and humid climate.

Actinomycosis – symptoms

Symptoms of actinomycosis may vary depending on the method of infection and the patient’s immune status. The main symptoms of actinomycosis are:

• Benign skin lesions – at the beginning of the disease, small lumps or vesicles may appear on the skin, which become ulcers.
• Pain and swelling – Actinomycosis may cause pain and swelling at the site of skin lesions.
• Rash – some patients may develop redness and skin rashes.
• Generalized symptoms – in the case of advanced actinomycosis, fever, weakness and loss of appetite may occur.

What are the types of actinomycosis?

There are different types of actinomycosis, depending on the mode of infection. The most common types of actinomycosis are:

• Cutaneous actinomycosis – the most common form of the disease that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
• Systemic actinomycosis – a more advanced form of the disease that affects internal organs such as the lungs, bones and nervous system.
• Disseminated actinomycosis – a rare form of actinomycosis that affects the entire body and may be life-threatening.

Actinomycosis – how can you get infected? what causes actinomycosis?

The fungus Sporothrix schenckii, which is responsible for actinomycosis, is usually transmitted to humans through contact with infected soil, plants or wood. There are different ways of getting infected, such as:

• Scratches or cuts – contact with contaminated soil or plants can lead to infection through small wounds on the skin.
• Transmission from animals – Some animals, such as cats, can carry the fungus and spread it to humans through bites or scratching.
• Systemic infection – in the case of systemic actinomycosis, infection may occur through the respiratory route by inhaling the spores of the fungus.

Actinomycosis – treatment and diagnosis

Diagnosing actinomycosis involves taking a sample of tissue or fluid from the area of skin lesions and identifying the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment may vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. The most commonly used treatment methods are:

• Antibiotics – used to treat cutaneous and systemic actinomycosis.
• Surgical treatment – in some cases it may be necessary to remove infected tissue.
• Immunotherapy – in the case of advanced actinomycosis, the patient may require support of the immune system.

Your suggestions

If you suspect you have symptoms of actinomycosis or have questions about this disease, be sure to consult your doctor. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the patient’s prognosis. It is also worth avoiding contact with contaminated soil and plants and maintaining hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about actinomycosis, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “Sporotrichosis: An Overview of Diagnosis and Treatment” – available online from medical journals.
• “Prevention and Control of Sporotrichosis” – an article on the prevention of actinomycosis.
• “Sporothrix schenckii: An Emerging Human Pathogen” – analysis of the fungus Sporothrix schenckii as a pathogen.

Remember that actinomycosis can be dangerous, but with appropriate diagnosis and treatment, this disease can be effectively combated.